Artisan Coffee and their charity, More Than a Dent, supported Splash this year by sponsoring improved water, toilets, hygiene, and menstrual health programs at Mickey Leland School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. We spoke with Magda, Artisan's co-founder, to learn more about how they started their business and why they chose to support Splash.

At Artisan Coffee, every cup tells a story—of craftsmanship, community, and a commitment to making a difference. Magda and Edwin, the dynamic duo behind Artisan, didn’t start out in the coffee business—they began their journey in corporate HR and business development, respectively. But one transformative year in Uganda set them on a different path.

A Leap of Faith in Uganda

In 2010, Magda and Edwin took a career break and traveled to East Africa. Why Uganda? The allure of its beauty and a recommendation from Edwin’s father set them off on an adventure that would shape their future. Volunteering with Liberty Development Foundation, they worked alongside beekeepers in the mountains, helping establish a community-based business from the ground up. This experience ignited their desire to have more ownership over their work, where, according to Magda, “our successes are our successes, and our failures are our failures.”

They returned to London with a dream: to build something they could call their own. And so, Artisan Coffee was born—with the goal to craft the best coffee and serve it with heart.

Brewing More Than Coffee

Artisan Coffee isn’t just about the perfect flat white (though that’s part of the deal!). It’s about creating a space where customers feel seen and valued. Seeing the opportunity in London, Magda and Edwin wanted to bring a bit of Australia’s vibrant coffee culture to the UK. From day one, they emphasized quality—from bean to barista—and built relationships with every customer who walked through their doors.

“We learned their names, their orders, their stories,” Magda says. “It wasn’t just about coffee; it was about connection.”

Four years in, they launched the Artisan Coffee School, offering training for everyone from casual enthusiasts to aspiring professionals. The school underscores their dedication to sharing knowledge and elevating the coffee industry.

A Passion for Giving Back

But Magda and Edwin’s vision extended beyond their shops. Having witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by communities in Uganda, they knew they wanted to give back. In 2021, they founded More Than a Dent, a charity with a mission to create lasting, sustainable impact.

Their first project was partnering with Splash to bring clean water and hygiene facilities to the Mickey Leland School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. For Magda and Edwin, the project was a natural fit—focused on long-term solutions that change lives.

Project Waterfall, a charity that connects the coffee industry to water-focused nonprofits, introduced Magda and Edwin to Splash and the opportunity to sponsor Splash’s full water, sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health implementation at Mickey Leland School.

Earlier this year, they visited the school to see the impact of their sponsorship.

“Seeing the joy on the children’s faces as they used the new handwashing stations was incredible,” Magda recalls. “It reminded us why we started this journey.”

Building a Legacy of Impact

For Magda and Edwin, giving back is now a family tradition. They brought their three children to see the project in action in Ethiopia, hoping to instill in them a sense of gratitude and global awareness. “We want them to carry those values forward,” Magda says.

More than a Dent operates on a simple yet powerful principle: fund one impactful project per year, ensuring accountability and sustainability. With the help of their Artisan Coffee community, they’ve turned coffee lovers into change-makers, raising funds through donation days and other initiatives.

Life is Short—Make It Count

Magda and Edwin made a bold decision to follow their passion. From crafting the perfect cup of coffee to supporting communities around the world, they’ve built a business that both makes a profit and is driven by purpose.

Magda’s advice? “Life is short. Do what makes you happy and find ways to give back. The rewards are immeasurable.”

At Artisan Coffee, every sip supports a story of connection, community, and change. Splash is grateful for their support of our project specifically and their dedication to sustainable change around the world.

More Than a Dent’s next project will take place in Nepal in partnership with Our Sansar. They are currently fundraising for a recycling center that can provide sustainable employment for families and enable children to go to school instead of working in brick factories.